The Last Frontier

My Other Half and I watch "Alaska, the Last Frontier" on a pretty regular basis.  In case you've never seen it, it's the story of the Kilcher family who are the fourth generation to live off the land of their 600 acre homestead.

I've grown kind of weary of watching it, but there's not much else on TV, and my Other Half likes it, so, since the good viewing choices are few and far between on the vast wasteland called television, I get a snack and settle in and see what's happening.  Here's the reason I tire of it;  in my estimation, it's run it's course.   They are always surprised when the weather turns bad, even though they've been there for 70 years - and IT'S ALASKA!  They always wonder if they'll get their cattle moved to greener pasture in time, or safely.  Their homes look like something that should be demolished, even though they are all multi-millionaires.....and so on, all typical TV complaints.

Last night was a surprise.  The patriarch of the family (Atz)  needed to herd and break in some horses.  This was the one thing his adult son (Atz Lee)  had the most fear of, and this was because of bad  memories of doing it as a child.  Atz would yell and scream directions, which cause his son to lose confidence and also caused the horses to become agitated, which caused further fear in his son.  This is how Atz learned to do it from his own father.  He knew nothing else, even though he too suffered from all the cussing, yelling and forceful behavior his own father demonstrated. Harsh, confidence breaking behavior was passed down through the generations.

Last nights program featured the breaking of that harmful cycle.  Atz knew of his son's fear.  He knew Atz Lee was totally lacking confidence and not only was fearful of the horses, but of failing his father.  This 70 year old man was not to old to realize this, and implemented a change.  He gently, lovingly and with kind words showed Atz Lee how to take care of the horses. The horses responded to speaking in a normal voice, faster then the old brute force method he formerly used.  In doing so, he started the healing process between father and son, and started a new generation of kindness.

Are we a reflection of how we were raised?  Most of us are, whether that's good or bad, it's all we know.  If it's something that isn't beneficial, we can break that cycle.  It isn't always easy, but it is possible, I saw it on this program last night, and this was the last place I expected to see it!   The first step is to recognize if the words we speak are uplifting, instructional without being bossy and judgemental, kind instead of demeaning, and is the tone we use gentle or harsh.  Yes....I'm learning every day as well. Even on my frontier!   We all can.

By the way, I am once again a fan of Alaska the Last Frontier!

Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Speaking Of Re-Locating.....

Have you been keeping up with all the politicians and their promises..."if I'm elected...".  Well, I keep up and then I step away, then I refresh and so on.  I'm  not immersed in it, but I do need to keep abreast of what's being said and done.  This post has nothing to do with the current news, aren't you happy?
I want to share two books I've recently read.  Both great reads.  They are about the White House, and the presidents, first ladies and families who have re-located to live there.  The first one is written by J.B. West, Chief Usher at the White House at one time.  Available on Amazon.

He chronicles the lives of the First Ladies from Roosevelt to Kennedy.  How they adjusted, or didn't adjust to their new home and the changes they made.  He writes with insight that only the Chief Usher and staff could witness. You may be surprised at the private personalities shared in this book!
Second is a similar book titled "The Residence:  Inside The Private World of The White House" by Kate Anderson Brower. This begins with the Kennedy's and continues right up to the Obama's. Also available on Amazon.

No one can tell the stories that actually makes live the attitudes and personalities of the First Families like those who work side by side with them.  Every one from the florist, electricians, to the plumber who actually had a breakdown after trying to please Lyndon Johnson's demand for his perfect shower.  There are soft, human moments, funny and heartbreaking moments.
If you read these books, I sincerely hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Can you guess who came across as the easiest and approachable family?

I Feel Like Traveling On

Scarf Sister October Blog Prompt-RELOCATING

I've lived in my present home for more then 30 years.  This is what I've always wanted - to stay in one place, a home where memories are made.  A neighborhood familiar.  We have done just that, my girls grew up here and my grand children know of no other place that is grandma and grandpa's. Even though the world has changed dramatically, my neighborhood has remained pretty much the same. For that I am thankful.

In the last few years, my mind has imagined  a different place.  One more suited to people of a "certain age" - meaning a house with no stairs!  I don't know if that will ever happen, there is an awful lot of accumulation that occurs when living in one place for so long.  I suppose on the other hand, it might be freeing to weed out what would go and what would stay, but not today.

I do have a wonderful home to look forward to one day.  I won't have to worry whether or not it has a first floor laundry because my sparkling robe will never be dirty!  Can you imagine?  My husband has a man bib he created by cutting off the neck hole and front of a sweatshirt.  He pulls it over his head and it protects his shirt while eating, especially foods like spaghetti!  No, he doesn't wear it outside the house, although at times it would have saved a nice shirt!  He won't have to worry about spots on his shirts when we're in our heavenly abode!

If I moved from this home to another I would worry and be sad if my family and friends weren't close by.  I would long for them terribly.  Not an issue in my home that Hebrews 13:14 speaks of.  There will be no sorrow or longing there.

Only God knows when my moving day will be.  I will enjoy this home that He has provided - including the stairs my young self thought would never be an issue!  They will provide cardiac exercise until I'm all exercised out!  Till then....like the lyrics in the song Beulah Land, "I'm kind of homesick for a country to which I've never been before".